The University of St. Thomas men’s basketball team is the top-ranked NCAA Division III team in the nation and winners of both the MIAC regular-season and playoff titles. The Tommies (26-1) claimed the playoff title Sunday, Feb. 24, with a 92-65 victory over Augsburg.

The Tommies learned Monday, Feb. 25, they will face Aurora University of Illinois (22-6) on Saturday, March 2, in the first round of the Division III national tournament. The Tommies won the Division III title in 2011. Here is St. Thomas coach John Tauer …

On playing Aurora: “They like to get up and down. It should be a fun game. They average 85 points a game and we’re just under 85 points game. There shouldn’t be a lack of offense. Let’s hope we play some defense.”

On whether his team is playing at the level he wants: “Early in the year, we had an unbelievable run of victories by 30-some points. Then we had about a two-week stretch where we weren’t quite clicking. This last five- or six-week stretch, we’ve been playing at a higher level. In 2011, when we won the title, we didn’t think we played our best until the last four games (of the postseason).”

On the pressure of being ranked No. 1 in the nation: “We’ve really preached about getting better every day and striving for excellence. The first time we were ranked No. 1 it got guys’ attention. I had guys stand around and pat each other on the back. We did it about 20 seconds and they said, ‘This is dumb, Coach.’ Internally, I don’t think it changes things for us.”

On the possibility of winning the national title: “I think the thing we feel comfortable saying is, ‘We can play with anybody in the country.’ “

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